Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of
the President of India, nestled on the magnificent Raisina Hill, was built
as the residence of the Viceroy during the British rule.The first occupant
of the palatial building with 340 rooms was Lord Irwin. Designed again by
Lutyens, it has a large court and a garden which is open to the public for a
short while in February when the flowers are in full bloom. The garden is
terraced and resembles the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, Kashmir.
Lying under the main dome is the elegant Durbar Hall which is the venue for
all the official functions of the President.The columns at the front
entrance have bells carved into them and Lutyens designed them with the idea
that since the bells could not make sounds, the British rule would never
come to an end. If they could make sounds, then that would mean the end of
the Empire which he did not want.
The Durbar hall served as a museum for several years until the building
which now houses the National Museum was constructed. Every saturday between
10.35 a.m. to 11.10 a.m. in winter and 8.30 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. in summer the
President's Bodyguard changes guard and this can be seen from outside the
gate. One wishing to visit the building can do so by contacting the deputy
Military Secretary to The President. The only points one can visit are the
Durbar Hall, Ashok Hall, the Dining Room and the Mughal Gardens.